πρόβατο
próvato/ˈpɾo.va.to/neuter
The Greek word for sheep is πρόβατο (próvato).
The term refers to the animal. In a figurative sense, the idiom for an outcast or an odd one out (a "black sheep") is translated literally as μαύρο πρόβατο.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
πρόβατο is a neuter noun, which means it is used with the neuter article το (το πρόβατο). The plural form of the word is πρόβατα.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpɾo.va.to/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word πρόβατο is a cognate with про́вату in Mariupol Greek, a distinct dialect spoken by Greek communities in Ukraine.
- In Greece, the custom of 'sheep shearing' is often associated with traditional folk songs and communal village festivals, rather than just being a farming chore.
- In Greek folklore and religious art, the 'lost sheep' is often depicted as a symbol of the human soul, linking the animal directly to spiritual salvation.
Examples in context
- Είμαι το μαύρο πρόβατο της οικογένειας.I'm the black sheep of the family.This sentence shows how to use πρόβατο when expressing that you are the black sheep of the family.Tatoeba #1422280 by enteka, translation #320340 by CK
- Είναι το μαύρο πρόβατο της οικογένειας.He's the black sheep of the family.This sentence shows how to use πρόβατο when expressing that someone else is the black sheep of the family.Tatoeba #1422286 by enteka, translation #1133168 by CK
- Ο Τομ είναι το μαύρο πρόβατο της οικογένειας.Tom is the black sheep of his family.This sentence shows how to use πρόβατο when identifying a specific person as the black sheep of the family.Tatoeba #1370238 by enteka, translation #1024840 by CK
- Είδα πολλά πρόβατα στο χωράφι.I saw a lot of sheep in the field.
- Αυτό το προβατάκι είναι τόσο γλυκό!This little sheep is so cute!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kyriaki and Giorgos are visiting a farm.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚοίτα, Γιώργο, τι ωραίο πρόβατο!Koíta, Giórgo, ti oraío próvato!Look, Giorgos, what a beautiful sheep!
- Γιώργος GiorgosΝαι, είναι πολύ μικρό.Nai, eínai polý mikró.Yes, it is very small.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΜπορούμε να ταΐσουμε το πρόβατο;Boroúme na taísoume to próvato?Can we feed the sheep?
- Γιώργος GiorgosΠρέπει να ρωτήσουμε τον ιδιοκτήτη.Prépei na rotísoume ton idio-ktíti.We have to ask the owner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries πρόβατο, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries πρόβατο, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
